The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Heat Advisory for parts of Southwest Florida.
The affected areas include DeSoto; Hardee; Highlands; Inland Charlotte; Inland Citrus; Inland Hernando; Inland Hillsborough; Inland Lee; Inland Levy; Inland Manatee; Inland Pasco; Inland Sarasota; Polk; Sumter.
The heat advisory is in effect from noon to 6 p.m.
The NWS says they put the heat advisory in place due to heat index values being up to 109 .
The NWS says when hot temperatures and high humidity occure it can cause heat illnesses to occure in the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says some of these illnesses are heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. Heat cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness, and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness, and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.
- Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in the legs and abdomen and Heavy sweating.
- First Aid: Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasms. Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving water.
Heat Exhaustion
- Symptoms: Heavy sweating, Weakness or tiredness, cool, pale, clammy skin; fast, weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache, fainting,
- First Aid: Move the person to a cooler environment, preferably a well-air-conditioned room. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet clothes or have the person sit in a cool bath. Offer sips of water. If the person vomits more than once,
Heat Stroke
- Symptoms: Throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperature above 103°F, hot, red, dry or damp skin, rapid and strong pulse, fainting, loss of consciousness.
- First Aid: Call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal. Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment. Reduce body temperature with cool clothes or a bath. Use a fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s. A fan can make you hotter at higher temperatures. Do NOT give fluids.
The CDC says if any of the symptoms last longer than one hour or worsen seem immediate medical attention.
